Verdict: Though it has engaging twists, Salim falls short because of its execution, mediocre music and Vijay Antony's underwhelming performance. The lengthy screenplay tests your patience and as the pace picks up, the movie en...more

Verdict: Though it has engaging twists, Salim falls short because of its execution, mediocre music and Vijay Antony's underwhelming performance. The lengthy screenplay tests your patience and as the pace picks up, the movie ends. A one time watch at best less

Cast

Verdict - Mildly exciting moments of edge that disappear as quickly as they come. Works as a temporary fix of entertainment without much expectations.

This action thriller has been entrusted in the passive hands of Dr. Salim MD (Vijay Antony), a good human being, capable doctor, but an action star...
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This action thriller has been entrusted in the passive hands of Dr. Salim MD (Vijay Antony), a good human being, capable doctor, but an action star? The reincarnation of the Samaritan, Salim follows rules, feeds the poor, cures the sick, but like his fiancé, the feisty, demanding Nisha (Aksha Pardasamy), puts it so succinctly when she calls their impending wedding off, "There's no pepper and salt"

The first half of the film is spent establishing how unfit Salim is in a world that runs without principle and on the strength of cold, hard, cash. Enough is enough, they've all had it - in the span of 24 hours Salim loses his fiance, his job and finds himself in lock up. After a foiled, clumsy attempt at escape he is caught and on his way to two years in prison when the action star is born.

Salim is now a renegade force to be reckoned with. He hijacks a hotel room with a bunch of juvenile delinquents out to have rough time. No surprise we have the son of the greasy home minister up there among the hostages. Black cats descend upon Hotel White Palace, the cops bring out their sophisticated software and negotiation tactics. Before you know it the humanitarian has become a terrorist and has sent the police force and bureaucracy into a tizzy. And director NV Nirmal Kumar uses the last quarter to tie up the loose ends that were left hanging through the first half and make up for the action and thrill that were missing this far.

As far as performances go Vijay Antony is a wall with few emotions, even awkward in romance. Aksha is grating and I suppose fulfills what is expected of her. In the three year hiatus I have taken from Tamil cinema, not much has changed in terms of formula. Romantic songs in faraway locales, a decadent item song, thug-like cops and politicians. But Salim does it all with a sense of humour, foresight and subtle twists of plot.

Comments

Verdict - A thriller wannabe, the movie swings between two opposites without reason.

They say, no good act goes unpunished. And here we are, punishing ourselves for deciding to watch a movie about a good man who is punished too, unt...
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They say, no good act goes unpunished. And here we are, punishing ourselves for deciding to watch a movie about a good man who is punished too, until he decides to punish the people who punish him. Fun, no? No. Way.

NV Nirmal Kumar's debut effort starring Vijay Antony is about how you shouldn't poke good men. if you do, they just flip to the exact opposite, in terms of dimensions, you know. Very good guy, without reason, snaps and becomes a very dangerous, gun-toting guy who is capable of going on a killing rampage. Interestingly, the good guy in question here, Salim, has enormous tolerance, shown exaggeratedly, something the audience will not be allowed to miss even if he wants to take a nap in the middle of the movie for a few minutes. You'll be shown how awesome he is, a kind doctor and a kinder boy friend, who spreads the message of love by forgiving even those who harass his girl friend Nisha (Aksha Pardasany).

Now that is a serious problem. Nisha doesn't like it, leave alone appreciating his calmness and finds it a good excuse to dump him. That is still fine but a doctor getting fired because management thinks more profits are important and because his prescribing cheaper medicines to the poor are miraculously making a big difference? That's about the time when it starts getting worse. The good samaritan meanwhile saves a woman in a risky profession, let's just say. But, when she disappears all hell breaks loose.

So, the movie is about how good men turn vigilantes, without rhyme or reason, as if becoming vigilante is as easy as throwing a cup of tea in anger because the tea had turned cold, because someone tested your patience by not giving you warm tea. Done in typical style, with too much melodrama, too much noise, the movie is just a throwback of the olden days, when great heroes were the epitomes of perfection. Not anymore. So, move on, even if the composer turned actor tries to entice you with interesting background score, move on!

“Salim” directed by debutant N V Nirmal Kumar stars Vijay Antony & Aksha in the lead roles and produced by R K Suresh, M S Saravanan & Vijay Antony. First and foremost thing, this movie is not the sequel of Vijay Antony’s “Naan”.

The movie starts with Salim (Vijay Antony) a professional doctor, has good values and respects others. He follows the principle of non-violence and does good deeds. Though he is good, he stays alone. To put an end to it, he decides to get married. There comes Nisha (Aksha) typical modern girl with no such principles in life. Nisha fails to understand Salim and his principles.She calls off their wedding saying, Salim is out of dated and old-fashioned.

Same night, Salim loses his job as he was working for good rather than supporting the money-minded hospital rules and their ways of treating patients from non-financial background. Once for all, Salim decides to break his principles and rules. He transforms himself to bring justice to the wrong things.

Story line of the movie is not new but Director N V Nirmal Kumar’s screenplay encourages viewers to watch. First half was slow and gets dragged to explain about Salim and actual movie starts at second half. When the pace picks up, the movie ends. Yes, “Salim” tests viewer’s patience level.Vijay Antony’s music doesn’t have any impact on songs but his BGM is opt to the mood of the movie. Ganesh Chandra’s camera work and Rajesh Kumar’s editing work are worth to be mentioned as they did their job well. Overall a slowish thriller can be watched once!!!